a tricky bucket
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Forum Discription: For how-to's and where-can-I-find
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4222
Printed Date: 5/14/25 at 3:06pm
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Topic: a tricky bucket
Posted By: lottigam
Subject: a tricky bucket
Date Posted: 9/01/09 at 2:18pm
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Hi, for next production “The Illusion” I need to find a way to make a bucket able to “hold water”. What it should happen is that after the water drips into the bucket, it can be picked up and turned upside down seeming empty. Does anyone have any suggestion? Thank you |
Replies:
Posted By: Spectrum
Date Posted: 9/02/09 at 1:42am
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Depending on HOW MUCH water drips into the bucket initially, I can see it done in one of two ways. If there is very little water dripped, the bucket could be lined with an absorbing material, such as a pre-moisened (but not saturated) chamois, or even a thick cloth that doesn't change color when wet (white or black for instance) rubber cemented into the bucket to appear as if the bucket is empty.
If there is a little more liquid involved, you could fabricate one bucket inside a larger bucket with the same top diameter, with the interior bucket being under-sized enough to create a cavity between the two buckets (think how a thermos bottle looks if cut in half). Simply put a few small holes in the bottom of the inside bucket so the liquid readily drains into the cavity between buckets. When it is turned upside down the water remains in the cavity since the drainage holes are now on top. It would probably be wise to make the bucket interior a darker color to disguise the drainage holes.
Good luck with whatever you do!  ------------- Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. |
Posted By: pdavis69
Date Posted: 9/02/09 at 9:17am
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If the trick is called for by the script, does it give insrtuctions as well? ------------- Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse |
Posted By: lottigam
Date Posted: 9/02/09 at 9:26am
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Thank you very much for the reply and the help!
The trick is not called for by the script, it's a director's idea.
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Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 9/02/09 at 10:27pm
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For absorbent matterial, just use a kids stay dry nappy [diaper] something like;-
http://www.babies.co.nz/shop/Training-Pants/Huggies-Pull-Ups - disposable nappies Online | baby products | home delivery service ...
The inner cavity is a good idea & would work well!
You could use a plastic bucket with a bowl, stuck inside. Put a hole in the centre bowl for water to drain. It would be better if the bowl & bucket were the same colour & the bowl fits the inside diameter of the bucket.
Or to add to the gag, just use a stay dry nappy, spread in the bottom of the bucket. When the bucket is tipped over the head of the actor, he/she is left wearing the nappy on the head, after they remove the bucket!  ------------- Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house} |
Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 9/03/09 at 3:55pm
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How about a bucket without a bottom? Turn the bucket over in a manner that the audience never sees the bottom. ------------- KEB |
Posted By: neilfortin
Date Posted: 9/04/09 at 10:29am
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There is a chemical, its whats in those absorbing diapers that you can buy. Its non-caustic and non-toxic. It will absorb any water up to ten times its weight and will adhere to the bottom of your bucket. When you want to remove it it will be like removing a jello mold from the bottom of the bucket.
Take a look here http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000057 - http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000057 ------------- Community Theater makes us smile |
Posted By: lottigam
Date Posted: 10/09/09 at 2:09pm
| Thank you all very much for the suggestions. However the director a couple of weeks ago decided to cut the "magic" effect, so I did not get to make the tricky bucket! |